Stamp-canceling machine



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J. W. ESKHOLME STAMP CANCELING `MAGHINE Original Filed March 9 1925 June 2l 1927.

June 21 1927.

J. w. .EsKHoLME STAMP CANCELING MACHINE 13- sneets-neet 2 Original Filed MaIjChAS 1925 INVENTOR 1 v w .QN n Q ATTO Fl N EY June 21, 1927.

J. w. ESKHQLME STAMP GAMBLING MACHINE Original Filed March9 1925 ,13`Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY 1 ,633 245 June 21 1927' J. w. EsKHoLME STAMP CANCELING MACHINE original Filed Marohsa 1925 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 1,633 245 June 21 1927' J. w. EsKHoLME STAMP CANCELING MACHINE Original Filed March9 1925 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOFI 1,633,245 June 21 1927 J. w. EsKHoLME STAMP CANCELING MACHINE Aoriginal Filed Marcha) 1925 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 e n B dw y? 30/ da! f4 jg y I WM y ATTORNEY June Z1 1927. 1,633,245

J. w. EsKHoLME STAMP CANCELINGr MAQHINE' Original Filed Marche 1925 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTO R N EY June 21 1927. 1,633,245

J. w. ESKHOLME STAMP CANCELING MACHINE original Filed Marchg 1925 13 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. w. ESKHOLME suur cANcELING momma Original Filed Marche 1925 la-sheets-sneet 9 June 21, 1921. Y 1,633,245

` 1,633 245 June 21 1927. J. w' ESKHOLME STAMP GANCELING MACHINE Original Filed March9 1925 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 ATTORNEY 1,633,245 June 21 1927' J. w. -ESKHQLME STAMP CANCELING MAHINE Original Filed March9 1925 13 Sheets-Shea?,v ll

1,633 245 June 2l 1927. J. w. EsKHO-LME STAMP CANCELING MACHINE v Original Filed March'9 1925 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 ATTQINIY 1927. 1,633,245 June 21 J. w. ESKHOLME STAMP CANGELING MACHINE Original F'iledMaroh 9 1925 13 Sheets-811661'l 15 Patented June 21, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN W.

PATENT OFFICE.

ESXHOLME, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO RED STAR APPLI- ANGES, ING., OFVNEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

STAMP-CANCELING MACHINE. I

Original application iileliy March 9, 1925, Serial No. 14,045. Divided and this application iiled November 17, 1925. Serial No. 69,593.

' The present invention relates to machines for handling envelopes, c ards, and other flat objects, and is capable of a variety of uses.

lt is an object ofthe present invention to conveniently provide for the sealing of envelopes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide for printing with ink on a. sealed envelope or on a fiat card, as for instance to cancel the stamp on anenvelope 'and to print adjacent to the canceled Stamp the name of the post oice, a date, the hour and the permit number of the user.

It is a further object of the' invention to count fthe number of envelopes, cards, or

other flat objects passed throu h the machine, not for the benefit of the overnmentl in calculating the amount of postage paid I thereon, but'for the information of the' user of the machine.

Although the machine is capable of a wide variety of uses, its eatest utility lies in sealing stamped enve opes and then canceling the Government stamp and counting the number of stamps so canceled. Envelopes to be used in this way may be of the character now furnished by the United States Government and having the postage stamp formed directly in the paper of the envelope,

or equally well, may be a plain envelope to which an adhesive Government sta-mp has" been aiiixed.

When the sealed envelopes come from the machine with the stamps canceled, and with the name of the. post oiiice and thev date printed thereon, they` .can be delivered in bulk to the post oiiice and there can be distributed directly into the outgoing pouches without the delays and labor incident to first placing them face up on the sorting table and then passing them through the stamp canceling devices now commonly used by the Government employeesL-ln` other words, much .of the labor now required at the post otlice is done before the mail reaches the post olice with' a consequent saving in time in placing the mail in transit to its destination.

The machine of the present invention has a new type of receiving platform on which the envelopes may be stacked horizontally with their open iaps .hanging downward over the side of the platform in shingled relation, means being provided at the side of the stack for keeping. the envelopes in proper `alignment with a feed roll to which they are to be delivered one by one from the bottom of the stack. The' platform also includes an adjustable anti-friction device of novel character adapted by spring pressure to automatically tilt the stack as the number of envelopes in the stack progressively decreases. l

The machine also embodies a novel barrier of cylindrical form coacting with the feeding roll and having av slight automatic Imovement in a direction opposite to that of the feeding roll whereby the wear on the paie is distributed over its entire cylindrical ace.

A moisteliing device and water fountain of novel construction serves to moistenthe downwardly hanging flaps of the envelopes during their passage one by one over the feed roll. Transfer rolls and a coacting inclined guide serve to fold the gummed flap of an envelope upward against the body thereof. rThe envelope then asses to a pair of, sealing rolls where it is mly squeezed to secure good adhesion of the gummed iiap.

When the envelope passes from the sealing rolls it trips a printing mechanism which kby its rolling movement over the travellin envelope cancels the postage' stamp thereo and prints adjacent to the cancelin imprint other vital data, such as the name o the post office, the date, and hour of cancellatlomy Counting mechanism operatively connected with the printing device records the number of printed imprints and consequently, the number of stamps canceled. The printing mechanism itself is so mounted that it can be swung upward into inverted vposition to give access to the dies and type with which it 1s equipped, and the type and dies are so secured in place that their replacement is a matter of but a moments work, no special tools being required.

Manually controlled levers are provided for throwing the counting mechanism out of action, forthrowing the printing roll out of action, and for throwing the inking roll out of action, when occasion may require, so that if desired, the machine may be operated simply as an envelope sealing machine.

Power for the machine is supplied by an electric motor compactly mounted, and those rotating elements of the machine which travel at high speed are equipped with wood en bearing sleeves which are silent in operation and to which no lubricating oil need be applied by the operator. There is, therefore, no chance that dripping oil will mar 0r soil envelopes or other articles being passed through the machine.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 14,045, filed March 9, 1925.

Other details and objects of the complete machine will become clear from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine; v

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is anend elevation of the complete machine as seen from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the anti-friction roll-v ers on the receiving platform;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the Water l appears in vertlcal sectlon on the line 28--28 fountain and its valve;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the broken line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail showing the rubber friction surfaces of the main envelope-feeding drum;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the revolvingv lmoistening brush, or more strictly speaking,

is a vertical section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 shows the moistening device from the rea-r and in elevation, and particularly the means for ratcheting the brush to produce an intermittent rotary movement;

Fig. 10 is a detail of the frictional ratchleting mechanism Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a transverse section on the line 12u-12 of Fig.l 1, showing a pair of transfer ro s; ,n

Fig. 13 is a transverse section on lthe line 13-13 of Fig. 1, showing the sealing rolls;

Fig. 14 is a detail of a clutch as it appears in section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the adjustable plates shown at the top of Figs. 6 and 11;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section on the line 16-16 of Figs. 6 and 11;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of 'the transfer and sealing rolls and of associated means, whereby the flap of the envelopes is closed and pressed against the body of the cnvelope;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the same;

F ig. 19 is a transverse section on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is an end elevation of the machine as it appears when viewed from the left of Fig. 1, certain parts being omitted for greater clarity;

Fig. 21 is a detailed plan view of the printing, counting and inlring mechanism, with the cover plate of the machine removed, or more strictly speaking, is a horizontal section on the line 21--21 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 22 is an end elevation of 'the same, or alvertical section on the line 22-22 of Fig. 2

Fig. 23 shows the inking mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 27

Fig. 24 shows the printing mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 24-24 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 25 shows details of the counting mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 253-25 of Fig. 27

Fig. 26 shows the counting mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 26-26 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 27 shows the printing mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 27-27 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 28 shows the inking mechanism as it of Fig. 22;

Fig. 29 shows the printing mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 29-29 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 30 is a sectional detail of the printing drum and dies on the line 30-30 of Fig. 27

Fig. 31 shows a lock for the printing mechanism as it appears in vertical section on the line 31-31 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 32 shows a part of the printing mechanism and corresponds to Fig. 23excepting that a hinged support and elements carried thereby has been swung upward and over against the top of the machine and into the position where changes can be made in the printing dies. Certain elements of Fig. 23 are omitted from Fig. 32 for greater clarity of illustration;

Fig. 33 is an end elevation of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 32, when viewed from the left;

Fig. 34 is a plan view of the elements shown in Fig. 32;

Fig. 35 is a sectional detail of the printing drum and dies; i

Fig. 36 is a transverse or vertical section on the line 3636 of Fig. 35;

Fig. 37 is a transverse vertical section of the printing drum and dies on the line y the machine.

the hinged 37-37 of Fig. 35 and is closely related to Fig. U

Fig. 38 is a plan view of the printing drum stripped of the die holder which it normally carrles;

Fig. 39 is a Vsection of the die holder alone; Fig. 40 is an end elevation of thefsame; Fig. 41 is a plan view of the same when positioned as in Fig.39;

Fig. 42 is a plan view of the die and its removable typei' Fig. 43 is aside elevation of the same; Fig. 44 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 45 is a plan View of the stamp coneling die; t

Fig. 46 is a sidefelevation of the same; Fig. 47 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 48 is a perspective view of a remov- `able type bearing the userfs number.

Fig..49 shows the means by which the type are held in the die, as it appears in section on the line 49-49 of Fig. 37;

Fig. 5() is a section on the line 50-50 of Fig. 49;

Fig. 51 shows one of the removable type in-elevation with its rinting face at the top; Fig. 52 is a detul of thetype holding spring; p

Fig. 53 (Sheet 1') indicates the appearance of a stamped envelope after it has been passedthrough the machine for cancellation of the stamp and for printingof the name pf the post joice and the date of cancelation.

Frame 'work and receiving platform. (Figs. 1, Z, 3, 6,13 ami Z0.)

The frame work of the machine comprises a cast metal base 1 to which is secured, by a plurality of bolts` 2, a sub-base 3 integral Iwith which is a vertical supporting plate 4 carrying a hub 5 to serve as bearing support for certain of the rotating elements. Secured to the vertical plate 4 by bolts 6 is a central sheet metal'plate 7 on the flanged upper edge of platform 8 which extends the ,entire length of the machine. To its down-turned rear edge (Fig. 6) is bolted a long lower apron 9 which extends throughout the length of @n the front down-turned edge of platform 8 is a short lower apron 10 (Figs. 3 and 1) to which'is hinged a vertical guide plate 11 (Figs. 1 and 3). At connection is a coiled spring 12 for controlling the position of guide plate 11.

Above platform 8 and supported by a rear wall 13 bolted thereto is a cover plate 14 which covers the left hand two-thirds of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1 and which serves as the .support for certain adjusting mechanisms. The front edge of cover plate 14 is carried by a front wall plate 15 (Fig.

13) securedvalong. its lower edge by bolts 16 which is bolted a sheet metal` to a short front apron 17 bolted to the turned front edge of platform 8.

The receiving platform for the envelopes to be sealed and then canceled is at the right hand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1, and includes a pair of antifriction rollers down 18, the details of which are shown in Figs.

2, 3 and 4.

Platform 8 is provided witha pair of par-l allel slots 19/ (Fig. 2) through'which rollers 18 may project to contact with a stack of envelopes horizontally placed thereon. Each roller is mounted to turn freely on a pin 20, the inner end of which is riveted to a vertical leg of a U-shaped support 21. That U- shaped support 21 is carried on the upper end of apull-rod 22 to the lower end of 'which lis secured ahandle 23. This pullrod is guided by a U-shaped plate 24' secured by bolts 25 (Fig. 4) to a pair -of brackets 26, the upper horizontal legs of which contact with the lower face of platform 8 and transversely bridge the parallelv sition and projecting well through latformI 8.` But when occasion requires, t e operator may pull down on handle .23 and lthus bring the, top of rollers 18 flush with the top of platform 8.v During that downward movement, the rollers and their'supporting mechanism are guided in brackets 26 by ears 29 (Figs. 2 and 3) integral with the U- i shaped plate 21 and adapted to rub at their edges along the inner faces of brackets 26.'

Freedom of movement along slots 19 is of advantage in 'adapting the machine to envelopes of different sizes and the bolts f which connect the transverse bars 27 with the horizontal upper legs of brackets 26 are notlscrewedl up so tight but that the oper!` ator can move the mechanism along slots 19 as'the occasion may require.

1fI no anti-friction rollers were used and' thestacked envelo es were permitted to lie' flat on Atable 8, t e frictional enga ement Vof the lowermost envelope with the ta le top would be greater'than is desired.l 1t is the primary function of rollers 18 to reduce friction at this point. There is, however, much),

convenience ano, 'some operative advantages in having the rollers so `supported by a spring that they will be depressed when a Cfull stack of envelopes is placed over them.

Except for this, there would be danger that one or more of the top envelopes'might slide down between the stack and baliie plate and there impede free passage ofv some of the envelopes over the drum 30. As soon as the operator completes the work of stacking the envelopes on the platform, rollers 18 move upward to produce a tilting of the stack, thus placing the envelopes in such an 1nclined position as will facilitate entrance over drum 30. A

When the envelopes are stacked for insertion into the machine, the flaps are adjusted at right angles to the bodies, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. The lowerinost envelope is brought into proper alignment with the rolls when the envelopes are placed on the receiving platform and spring-pressed vertical plate 11 is relied on to force the stack over progressively so that the lowermost envelope will, at all times, be in proper alignment.

The feeding rolls. (Figs. 1, 2, 6 to 11,15 amd 16.)

The lowermost envelope from the stack is gripped between the large feeding roll or` drum 30 and a small upper roll 31. Feeding roll 30 has a pair of annular recesses in its working face in each of which is secured a rubber tread 32 with corrugated or knurled faces as shown in Fig. 7. This drum 30 is mounted on a drive shaft 33 to which it is locked by a set screw 34 (Fig. 6.) Shaft passes through hub 5 in which is an antifriction wood lining 35 so constituted as not to require application of lubricating oil.

Roll 31 has smooth yielding face of rubber or like material and does not rotate from frictional engagement with an envelope passed between it and drum 30, but, on the contrary acts as a restraining baille for all but the lowermost envelope and at the same time presents a yielding surface along which the envelope can =be dragged by the rubber surfaces of drum 30. Platform 8 is rovided with a pair of longitudinal slots 3Y and 38 (Fig. 2) through which the rubber `treads of drum 30 project slightly. Roll 31 is positioned midway between these two slots,.as appears from Fig. 6, and thus contacts with that part of the envelope which bridges a gap between the rubber treads 32.

The smooth yielding rubber face of roll 31 is subject to considerable wearing action from envelopes sliding under the roll and provision has been made for turning roll '31 with an intermittent movement to equalize the wear on its face, as hereinafter described. Roll 31 is so mounted as to be capable of vaA rious other adjustments. 2'

Cover plate 14, at its right hand endais pierced by three bolts 39, 40 and 41.. (Fig. 15.) Bolt 39 passes through a longitudinal slot in the horizontal leg of a bracket 42. The other or outer leg of this bracket is turned upwardly. Similarly, bolts 40 and 41 pass through longitudinal slots in the horizontal leg of a wide bracket 43, the

other or outer leg of which is turned upwardly. Secured to these outwardly turned legs of the two brackets by bolts 44 is a baiiie plate 45 (Figs. 6 and 11), one function of which is to keep the stack of envelopes from crowdin forward aga-inst roll 31. Lying against te rear face of baiiie plate 45 and guided along its edges by the adjacent up-turned ed es of brackets 42 and 43 is a vertically mova le plate 46, the upper end of which is bent over as shown in Fig.

l1 to engage with a keeper 47 on the lower f end of a threaded shaft 48 which passes with threaded engagement through an ear integral with baiile plate 45, and is provided at its upper end with a knob 49. Fig. 6.) By turning this knob, plate 46 can e made to slide in its guideway. Near the lower end of the plate 46 are two integral ears 50 which are bent forward to serve as supports for a shaft 51 (Figs. 11 and 16C). Shaft 51 serves as a pivot for a pair of si e plates 52 joined together by an integral bar 53 and provided at their lower extremities with a shaft 54 on which roll 31 may turn. Wrapped around shaft 51 is a coiled wire spring 55, one end of which rests against Vplate 46, and the other end of whiclien gages `one of theside plates 52. This spring holds the roll to its work with a yielding pressure but will permit upward swinging movement of the roll aboutl shaft 51 to accommodate envelopes differing slightly in thickness. This spring connection will take care of any change from a one-page letter to a two-page letter. When the envelopes are much thicker, as when containing circu' lars or pamphlets, manual adjustment can be made at knob 39 before commencing to pass the envelopes through the machine. The mechanism whereby roll 31 is caused to turn with an intermittent movement to equalize the wear on its face includes a gag roller 56. preferably of soft rubber and floating between roll 31 and its cross-bar 53. The upward thrust on roll 31 produced by its frictional contact with the passing envelope is sufficient to compress slightly the rubber of gag roll 56 and the contacting rubber face of roll 31, so that when the envelope has passed through there will be a slight rebound of these rubber elements to an extent sufhcient to turn roll 31 slightly in a direction opposite to eling envelope. Therefore, in a sense roll 31 may be regarded as a spring-pressed barrier, the wearing surface of which is periodically renewed. Roll 31 can, of course, be turned by hand in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 11 to present a new wearing surface for contact with passing enf velopes. Ordinarily, however, the intermittent slow rotative movement above described will be entirely suficient to equalize the wear. Cross-bar 53, by its bearing against that of the travf vthe lower end ofiplate 46, acts as a stop to limit downward swing of roll 31.

At the right hand end of base 1, as seen in Fig. 1, are ears 57 and 58 for carrying rubber cushions 59; and tapped into those ears are bolts 60 and 61, under which is clamped a cross bar 62. Resting loosely on an upwardly bent portion of this bar is the foot 63 of an automatic water fountain. This fountain comprises a metal cup 64 with an air intake and over-flow vent 65, this cup being threaded to one end of a horizontal feed pipe 66. The mouth of the cup is lined with a soft rubber collar 67 within which is loosely but closely fitted the neck of an inverted glass water bottle 68'. The mouth of the bottle is at a level just below the air intake 65. This fountain -is of the constant level type for water can flow out of the glass receptacle only in-proportion as air flows in and air is admitted or excluded in accordance with the level of the water in the lower part of the cup, as will be well understood by those skilled in the'art.

A` soft rubber check valve 69 is inserted through the neck of the bottle into the position shown in Fig. 5. While the fountain is in use, this check valve rests on a leg 70 integral with the fountain cup and its leg 63, but when the water bottle is to be removed, the valve is released and seats ,against the neck of the bottle to prevent spilling any-residue of water while lifting the bottle out for re,- filling. l v

To refill the bottle after removing it from the fountain the operator withdraws the soft rubber check valve '69 as if it were a cork thus leaving the neck of the bottle unobstructed `for filling. The valve is then pushed back 'into the bottle, and it`makes no difference which end is inserted for both ends are alike.

l passage of air upward and thepassage of water downward.

The moistening device, together with the fountain, are easily removable from the machine for purposes of adjustment, cleaning, etc. To insure ease of removal, these elements are fastened to sub-base 3 by a sin le bolt 71`which passes through a lug 72 1n tegral with the casting 73 which serves as a well for the moistening water and as a support for various other elements.` Feedpipe 66 is threaded into a casting 73. Along the bottom edge of casting 73 are two lugs 74 and 75ibevel1ed toD engage with the inclined front edge of a pair of lugs 76 integral with sub-base 3 (Fig. 3). The tightening of bolt 71 brings these inclined faces into wedging engagement and linsures accurate alignment of all of the parts associated with casting 73.

y upper end `o The cross section of the .stem is such as to allow ample space for the A sheet metal box 77 with a detachable cover 78 encloses the moving elements of the moistening device.

The movingelements of the moistening device include an intermittentl rotating sheet metal drum 79 within t e flanged periphery of which issecured an annularbrush 80 with outwardly projectingbristles. This drum turns slowly w1th an intermittent movement to moisten the bristles by progressive submergence of them in the water of the 4well 73, but with opportunity for the bristles to drain before being brought into contact with the gummed flaps of envelopes to be sealed. l Y Drum 79 is secured by a nut 81 to a threaded bushing 82, which is mounted on a bolt 83 on which itv can freely turn. Bolted to drum 79 is a sheet metal drum 84 with a flange at its outer edge against which gears a frictional ratcheting device now to be described. Y

The frictional ratcheting device whereby the moistening brush is given an intermittent rotary movement comprises a dog 85 (Fig. 10) pivotedat 86 to the upper end of an oscillating arm 87. That arm is mounted on bushing 82 (Fig. 8) and is free to swing thereon.` Integral with dog 85 is a weight 88, the lower edge of whlch is kerfed to form a tongue 89 which is bent at right angles to the weight soV that it can strike against the edge of bar 87 and thus serve to keep the dog in convenient position for reassembly in case the mechanism is taken apart for cleaning. At 86 (Fig. 6) is a stub shaft on which dog 85 can swing, this shaft being threaded through arm 87 and secured by a nut 90. Be ond the'threaded portion of the stub sha t is a cylindrical portion 91 (Figs. 6 and 9)Vwhich serves as a pin for engagement with a slot 92 in the a pivotally mounted oscillating lever 93. This lever 93 is free to swing about a stub shaft 94 supported by-box 77 and equipped with a collar, a nut, and a lock nut as shown in 6. The oscillating movement is imparted to lever 93 by means .of a cam 95 which is straddled b the bifurlish driving connection between the main driving shaft 33 (Fig. 6) and the eccentric cam 95. This clutch consists of a pin 99 projecting at the end of the hub of the drum 30 and adapted by, rotary movement to strike against a similar pin 100 projecting' from the side face of cam 95. Agag roller his cam is 79 holds drum 79 against rotation in reverse direction.

The front wall of box 77 extends slightly about the axis of bolt 83 but is provided with an upwardly extending ear 101 through which passes a bolt 102 to secure the box to the front apron 15 and give su port thereto.

en an envelope is passe over drum 30 its depending gummed flap wipes across the damp bristles of the annular brush 80 and the envelope then is pulled forward by the transfer rolls and ultimatelyis sealed at the next pair of rolls. The bristles of the brush are kept in a properly moistened condition by periodic submergence in the water of the well 73 and the intermittent rotary movement of the brush is slow enough to protect against too much moist-ure in the bristles across which the envelope is wiped.

When the machine is started up in the mornin after it has been standing over night t e bristles at the top of the drum will have dried out to such an extent as to be ineffective. There are, however, finger holes in the drum 79 accessible from the front of the machine so that the operator can turn the drum by hand to bring properly moistened bristles into active position preparatory to starting the machine. Except for this the rst few envelopes passed through the machine might not have their flaps suliiciently moistened.

The transfer and sealing mechanisms. (Figs. 1, e, 12,13, 11, 17, 18 mi 19.)

The transfer mechanism is used to forward the envelope from the moistening device to the sealing rollers and, as shown in Fig. 12, comprises an upper roller carried on a shaft 103 and consisting of annular castings 104 and 105 bolted together within a metal tube 106. Each casting `is lined with an oilless wood sleeve so that its bearing on shaft 103 is suited to high speed without the need for applying lubricating oil- Tube 106 has a rubber face 107. This upper roll is spring supported as hereinafter described.

The other roller of the transfer mechanism comprises a rubber cylinder 108'carried on a pair of castings 109 and 110 secured together as shown in Fig. 12 by two bolts 111 and 112, each of which cooperates with a threaded sleeve and a companion bolt. This lower roller is lined by two abutting oilless wooden sleeves 113 which are free to turn on said shaft 114.

Shaft 114 is bolted at one end to apron 9. The other end is rig-idly secured by a bolt to the downwardly extending ear 115 of a bracket, the upper or herlzontal position of which is fastened by four screws 116 .-(Fig. 2) against the lower face of platform 8. This bracket has another shorter depending ear v117 to support the outer end of a stationary shaft 118 on which vintegral cross piece and is a wood bearing sleeve 119, and a rubber auxiliary roller 120 which acts as complemental to the main lower roll and is driven ylflfrictional engagement with the envelopes.

e lower roller cannot well be made of the same width as the upper roller because of the presence of an inclined sheet metal guide 121 used to fold inwardly the moistened Haps of the envelopes. This inclined guide 121 is a prolongation of the front sheet metal wall 15 and acts progressively on the envelope flaps to swing them inward against the ody of the envelope. The transfer rollers serve to hold the envelope against the guide while at the same time advancing the envelope to and into 'the sealin rollers.

he upper sealing roll 122 (Fig. 13) is constructed essentially like the upper transfer roll.

The lower sealing roller 123 is constructed essentially like the lower transfer rolleexcepting that it is of greater width. It is mounted on a stationary bar 124 bolted at one end to apron 9 and at the other end to apron 17. Before the envelope reaches this pair of sealin rollers the gummed lla-p will have been lded into position against the body of the envelope so that the envelope 125 (Fig. 13) can be squeezed between the rubber faces of the rollers to complete the sealing.

The upper transfer roller and the upper sealing roller are yieldingly mounted in a manner now to be described. The upper transfer roller has its shaft 103 rigidly bolted to the free ends of a pair of plates 126 (Fig. 18) which are connected by an 127 and are pivoted on a stationary bar 128 bolted between rear wall 13 and front wall 15. The upper sealing roller 122 has its shaft 129 similarly mounted on the free ends of plates 130 which are connected by a cross iece 131 and are pivoted on shaftl 128. ositioned above cross bars 127 and 131 is a sheet metal spring 132 having four vdownwardly extending lingers 133 (Fig. 19) two of which press downward on cross pieces 127, and two of which press downward on cross piece 131. This spring is held to its work by an ad'usting bolt 134, the lower end of whic is anchored in a U-shaped fitting threaded on bar 128. Integral with cross piece 127 are a pair of lugs 136 turned up .from the cross piece itself and serving to keep the lingers of the spring from swinging. around on bolt 4134. The companion cross plece 131 is similarly equipped. c

rom the sealing rollers the envelope is advanced to the prlnting mechanism.

The printing mechanism. (Figs. 1, 2, 73 and 20 to 51 wlmi/ve.) The` lower roller 137 (Fig. 22) of the printing mechanism has a rubber face 138 and in all of its structural detailslis essentially like lower sealing roller 123 (Fig. 13). It is supported on a stationary shaft 139 (Fig. 2), the ends of which are bolted to side rails or levers 14() and 141 pivoted at one end on bar 124 and connected at the other end by an integral plate 142 on which is a centrally positioned lug 143 through which passes a rod 144. The upper end of rod 144 (Fig. 22) is provided with an enlargement 145 which is free to swing about a stationary horizontal tie rod 146. The lower end of rod 144 is provided with nuts 147 andv an encircling coiled.v spring 148 whereby lug 143, and consequently, roller 1.37, are urged upwardly. This yielding' support for roller .137 is of importance in insuring a clear imprint regardless of reasonable variations in the thickness of the filled envelope.

Referring to Fig. 22 cover plate 14 has a hinged extension 149 pivoted to it on each side by a bolt 150 so that the extension can be swung fthrough 180 to bring the printing roller bottom side up as shown in Fig. 32. This is of convenience when the roller is to be cleaned or the dies or type are to be changed.

As will appear from Figs. 26-28, inclusive, the hinged extension 149 carries depending side plates 151 and 152 bolted thereto. stationary bar or shaft 153 (Fig. 27) is bolted between these plates and is provided at its respective ends with spacing sleeves 154' and 155 (Fig. 27) between which the printing drum and its driving pulley are mounted. Mounted to turn freely on bar .153 is a wooden sleeve 156, and fitted to that sleeve with a driving lit is a driving pulley 157 lhaving a rubber facing 158. This pulley is driven by frictional engagement with the lower spring-pressed roller 137`or with an envelope passing between the two.

At the side of driving pulley 157 and encircling the wooden sleeve 156 and iniitially driven thereby by frictional engagement is a printing drum comprising a metal sleeve 159 having a wide flange 160 shod with a rubber ring 161. v

Acheek plate 162 holds the rubber ring 161 in position. At the side of this cheek plate is a cam 163 for operating the counting mechanism as hereinafter described.

The printing drum also comprises a collar 164 having a beveled side `as shown in Fig. 27 for engagement with the removable printing die holder 165,V thedetails of which are hereinafter described. Cooperating therewith is a second collar 166 having a beveled engagement with the die holder, and also bearing a" lug 167 which engages in a recess on the die holder to insure proper positioning of the die holder and proper timing with.

other parts of the device. Collar 166, die holder 165, collar 4164, cam 163, and cheek plate 162 are all rigidly clamped together and against flange 160 by a nut 168 'threaded to the endof sleeve 159. Collar 166 projects out beyond nut 168 and has two notches 169 and 170, the purpose of which is mentioned hereinafter.

The printing operation must be so timed that the'imprint will be impressed in its proper place on the envelope. Also for certain classes of work it is desirable to seal the envelopes without printing anything on them. These needs are taken care of in the prese-nt machine by a latching device controlled in position and in operation by a hand lever accessible atl the end of the machine. Similarly it is at times desirable to throw the inking mechanism out of action. These detailsof the complete machine will now be described, reference being had to Figs. 23-28, inclusive.

Referring [to Fig. 24 which is a` vertical section on the line 24-24 of Fig.\27, there is a dog 171 mounted on a hub of sleeve 159. The nose of this dog is in position for engagement with a latch 172, Fig. 24, this latch being pivoted at 173 on a metal bracket 174. Manyof the parts now to be described are shown in Fig. 24 in two positions, the full line position showing normal operation when the printing nrechanism is to print on the envelope. Integral with latch 172 is an arm 175, the free end of which is in proximity to a lever armA 17 6 pivoted at 177 on a sheet metal bracket 178 and having an integral off-set lever arm 176. Coacting with lever arm 176 is a hand lever 179 pivoted at 180 to a pair of brackets 181 mounted on a transverse supporting plate 182 (Fig. 21). Coiled tension springs 183 secured at one end to lever 17 9 and at the other end to bracket 181 act on the principle of a toggle to yieldingly L hold lever 179 in one or the other of the two` positions shown in the drawings. I

When the envelope comes through between the sealing rolls, it engages a row of yielding lingers 184 (Figs. .24 and 28) .all of which are rigidly secured to a casting 185 pivoted on a pair of stub shafts 186. This casting 185 is suspended between supportingv arms 187 and 188. The former is bolted to the side plate 152 as shown in Fig. 28, and the latter is bolted to the under surface of the hinged extension 149 of the cover plate 14, as shown in Fig. 28. Casting 185 carries a pair of integral lugs through which is a shaft 189. Pivoted on that shaft is a pawl 190, the working nose of which engages with rone arm 191 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 192. Another arm l193 of the bellbrank lever has its working nose against the lowermost notched corner of latch 172. A compression spring 194 bears at one end on a shoulder 195 integral with latch 172 and 

